48 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



He is half Spanish, and being a half-breed, for whom they generally have the most 

 contemptuous feelings, he has been all his life thrown into the front of battle and 

 danger; at which posts he has signalized himself, and commanded the highest ad- 

 miration and respect of the tribe for his daring and adventurous career. This is the 

 man of whom I have before spoken, who dashed out so boldly from the war-party, 

 and came to us with the white flag raised on the point of his lance, and of whom I 

 have made a sketch in Plate No. 157. I have here represented him as he stood for 

 me, with his shield on his arm, with his quiver slung, and his lance of fourteen feet 

 in length in his right hand. This extraordinary little man, whose figure was light, 

 seemed to be all bone and muscle, and exhibited immense power by the curve of 

 the bones in his legs and his arms. We had many exhibitions of his extraordinary 

 strength, as well as agility; and of his gentlemanly politeness and friendship we 

 had as frequent evidences. As an instance of this, I will recite an occurrence which 

 took place but a few days since, when we were moving our encampment to a more 

 desirable ground on another side of their village. We had a deep and powerful 

 stream to ford, when we had several men who were sick, and obliged to be carried 

 on litters. My friend "Joe" and I came up in the rear of the regiment, where the 

 litters with the sick were passing, and we found this little fellow up to his chin in 

 the muddy water, wading and carrying one end of each litter on his head as they were 

 in turn passed over. After they had all passed, this gallant little fellow beckoned 

 to me to dismount and take a seat on his shoulders, which I declined, preferring to 

 stick to my horse's back, which I did, as he took it by the bridle and conducted it 

 through the shallowest ford. When I was across, I took from my belt a handsome 

 knife and presented it to hjm, which seemed to pleaso him very much. — Page 68, vol. 

 2, Catlin's Eight Years. 



52. Hdh-nee, the Beaver; a warrior of terrible aspect. 



53-54. Two Camanchee girls (sisters), showing the wigwam of the chief, his dogs, 

 and his five children. 



(Painted 1834. Plate No. 165, page 64, vol. 2, Catlin's Eight Years.) 



From what I have already seen of the Camanchees, I am fully convinced that they 

 are a numerous and very powerful tribe, and quite equal in number and prowess to 

 the accounts generally given of them. 



It is entirely impossible at present to make a correct estimate of their numbers; 

 but taking their own account of villages they point to in such numbers, south of the 

 banks of the Red River, as well as those that lie farther west, and undoubtedly north 

 of its banks, they must be a very numerous tribe; and I think I am able to say, from 

 estimates that these chiefs have made me, that they number some 30,000 or 40,000— 

 being able to show some 6,000 or 7,000 warriors, well-mounted and well-armed. This 

 estimate I offer not as conclusive, for so little is as yet known of these people that 

 no estimate can be implicitly relied upon other than that which in general terms 

 pronounces them to be a very numerous and warlike tribe. — 1834. Pages 68 and 69, 

 vol. 2, Catlin's Eight Years. 



MR. CATLIN'S NOTES ON THE COMANCHE INDIANS. 



The Camauches are in stature rather low, and in person often approaching to cor- 

 pulency. 



In their movements are heavy and ungraceful, and on their feet one of the most 

 unattractive and slovenly races. I have ever seen; but the momeut they mount theii 

 hprses they seem at once metamorphosed, and surprise the spectator with the ease 

 and grace of their movements. A Camanche on his feet is out of his element, and 

 comparatively almost as awkward as a monkey on the ground without a limb or 

 branch to cling to ; but the moment he lays his hand upon his horse his face even be- 

 comes handsome, and he gracefully flies away, a different being. 



